Soldier ‘was on Instagram’ when she killed cyclist in horror crash after sending EIGHTEEN messages from behind wheel
A SERVING British Army soldier who killed a cyclist while distracted by her phone has been jailed for six years and eight months.
Sophie Waugh, 31, was behind the wheel when she smashed into 71-year-old Ian Morris, a much-loved husband, father, and grandfather, on a North Yorkshire road.
Teesside Crown Court heard how Waugh had sent 18 messages and locked and unlocked her phone ten times while driving—just moments before the deadly collision.
When her phone finally locked, the Instagram app was open on the screen.
Mr Morris, from Bedale, died instantly at the scene.
His devastated family said: “The pain may dim, but our lives will never be the same again.”
A deadly distraction
Waugh, a soldier with the Royal Logistics Corps, had been driving home from Alanbrooke Barracks when she ploughed into Mr Morris on the A6055 Leeming Lane near Kirklington on June 28, 2023.
Digital forensic experts revealed a shocking timeline of phone activity.
In her solo journey leading up to the crash, Waugh sent 13 messages on Facebook Messenger and six on Snapchat, along with multiple screen interactions.
The court was told she never saw Mr Morris despite him wearing a high-visibility fluorescent green cycling jersey and a flashing red rear light.
Witnesses described how it was Waugh’s car that veered towards him—contradicting her initial claims that he had swerved into her path.
‘Wholly avoidable tragedy’
Detective Constable Laura Cleary, from North Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Investigation Team, said: “Waugh claimed during police interview that she had not seen Mr Morris and even suggested that he must have swerved out in front of her car.
“Witnesses challenged her version of events, stating that Mr Morris was riding normally and clearly visible.
“The horrific consequences of being distracted by mobile phones are plain to see in this case.
“This is a stark wake-up call for anyone tempted to use their phone while driving.”
Waugh was handed a six-year, eight-month prison sentence and banned from driving for five and a half years.
She must also take an extended driving test before being allowed back behind the wheel.
Family’s heartbreak
Mr Morris’ family have been left shattered by their loss.
His wife, Pauline, described the agony of losing her partner of nearly 50 years: “To me, he was my everything—friend, lover, partner, and teammate. I feel like my future has just been cancelled.”
His son, Jon, recalled the devastating moment he learned of his father’s death: “I still remember the fear in my mum’s voice when she rang me in complete panic.
“Instead of a hospital, we had the harrowing wait for the police to confirm the devastating news we already knew deep down was coming.”
His other son, Tim, said: “I feel the loss of my father every day.
“We shared a passion for golf and an allotment—we did everything together.
“Now I can’t bear to go back to the allotment. It was our place.”
The sentence, they say, is nothing compared to their lifelong grief.
“Our lives will never be the same again,” Jon added.
“There will forever be a piece of our family and our hearts missing.”